Esau (Hebrew origin: Rough)
(Genesis 25:25). 18th century b.c.e.
During her pregnancy, Rebekah felt her twins, Esau and Jacob struggling in her womb and was told by the Lord that each of the boys would become the progenitor of a nation
but that the older would serve the younger. Esau was born first, red and hairy, and moments later, Jacob came out holding Esau's heel. Esau, his father's favorite, grew up to be a skilled hunter, but was easily manipulated by his shrewd brother into giving his birthright away. Then, when Isaac grew old, he decided to bless his eldest son, but Jacob and Rebekah conspired to trick Isaac into bestowing his blessing on Jacob. Furious at Jacob's trickery, Esau vowed that he would kill Jacob as soon as Isaac died. Rebekah, to protect Jacob from Esau's revenge, decided to send him away to her brother Laban in Haran. After a peaceful reunion years later, the last time that the two brothers met was when they buried their father, Isaac, in the cave of Machpelah (Genesis 35:29). The sons that Esau had with his wives were Eliphaz, Reuel, Jeush, Jalam, and Korah. Esau, through his son Eliphaz, was the grandfather of Amalek, Israel's eternal enemy.
Read more biographies from Who's Who in the Jewish Bible.
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